Romans 4:19

KJV

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} being not {G3361} weak {G770} in faith {G4102}, he considered {G2657} not {G3756} his own {G1438} body {G4983} now {G2235} dead {G3499}, when he was {G5225} about {G4225} an hundred years old {G1541}, neither yet {G2532} the deadness {G3500} of Sara's {G4564} womb {G3388}:

Complete Jewish Bible

His trust did not waver when he considered his own body — which was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old — or when he considered that Sarah’s womb was dead too.

Berean Standard Bible

Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.

American Standard Version

And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:19 powerfully illustrates the robust nature of Abraham's faith, emphasizing that despite his advanced age of approximately one hundred years and the biological impossibility of conception for both himself and Sarah, he did not allow these physical realities to diminish his unwavering trust in God's promise to provide an heir. This verse highlights Abraham's profound conviction in God's power to bring life from what was naturally dead, serving as a foundational example of justification by faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans chapter 4 serves as a pivotal exposition of Paul's doctrine of justification by faith, using Abraham as the prime example. Having established that righteousness is not attained through works of the law or circumcision (as argued in [Romans 3](/romans/3 "Romans 3 - Righteousness Through Faith")), Paul turns to Abraham, the patriarch revered by Jews, to demonstrate that even he was justified by faith. Verses [Romans 4:1-8](/romans/4-1-8 "Romans 4:1-8 - Abraham Justified by Faith") lay out this principle, quoting [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham Believed God") to show that Abraham's faith was "counted unto him for righteousness." The subsequent verses, [Romans 4:9-12](/romans/4-9-12 "Romans 4:9-12 - Faith Precedes Circumcision"), address the timing of Abraham's circumcision, proving that his justification preceded it, thus undermining any claim that circumcision or the Law are prerequisites for righteousness. Verse 19 then delves into the *quality* of Abraham's faith, showcasing its strength and resilience in the face of overwhelming natural obstacles, further solidifying the argument that his faith, not his physical state or human ability, was the basis of God's declaration of righteousness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Abraham lived in the ancient Near East, a patriarchal society where lineage and the continuation of a family name through descendants were paramount. To be childless, especially for a man, was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine disfavor. God's promise to Abraham in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham") and [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - Stars as Descendants") to make him the father of a great nation, with descendants as numerous as the stars, was therefore a promise of immense cultural and personal significance. However, by the time Abraham was "about an hundred years old" and Sarah was well past childbearing age, the natural fulfillment of this promise seemed utterly impossible. Culturally, such a situation would typically lead to despair and the adoption of an heir (as seen with Eliezer in [Genesis 15:2-3](/genesis/15-2-3 "Genesis 15:2-3 - Abraham's Concern for an Heir")) or the use of a surrogate (like Hagar in [Genesis 16:1-4](/genesis/16-1-4 "Genesis 16:1-4 - Hagar and Ishmael")). Abraham's faith, however, transcended these cultural norms and biological limitations, relying solely on the supernatural power and faithfulness of God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Romans and the broader biblical narrative. The overarching theme is **Justification by Faith**, as Abraham's unwavering belief in God's promise, despite physical impossibility, is presented as the very essence of the faith that God credits as righteousness. Another crucial theme is **God's Sovereignty and Power over Nature**, highlighted by God's ability to bring life from "dead" bodies, demonstrating His capacity to act beyond human limitations and natural laws. This directly connects to the theme of **Resurrection and New Creation**, as God's power to "quicken the dead" (as mentioned in [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")) is central to both Abraham's experience and the Gospel message. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Faith as Active Trust**, not passive acceptance; Abraham's faith was not a denial of reality but a deliberate choice to trust God's word above all contrary evidence, demonstrating a resilient and robust belief.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **considered (Greek, _katanoéō'_):** From G2657. This word means "to observe fully" or "to perceive." In this context, the negation "considered not" (G3756 ou) is crucial. It does not imply ignorance or denial of the physical facts, but rather that Abraham did not allow his full observation and perception of his and Sarah's physical incapacities to become the *basis* for doubt or to undermine his confidence in God's promise. He acknowledged the reality but chose not to dwell on it in a way that would lead to unbelief. His faith transcended the natural observation.
* **dead (Greek, _nekróō'_):** From G3499. This verb, used here in a perfect passive participle form, literally means "to deaden" or "to be made dead." Applied to Abraham's body, it vividly describes its state as physically incapable of procreation, as if its reproductive functions were "deadened" or rendered inert due to extreme age. It emphasizes the absolute natural impossibility of the promised birth.
* **deadness (Greek, _nékrōsis'_):** From G3500. This noun, derived from the same root as "dead," signifies "decease" or, figuratively, "impotency." When applied to Sarah's womb, it powerfully conveys its complete biological inability to conceive or carry a child. The term underscores the utter lack of natural potential for life, reinforcing the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth as a divine act rather than a natural one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And being not weak in faith":** This opening clause establishes the core characteristic of Abraham's faith: it was robust, strong, and resilient. The double negative ("not weak") emphasizes its positive strength and unwavering nature, contrasting it with any wavering or doubting belief.
* **"he considered not his own body now dead":** Despite the undeniable physical reality that his body, at around 100 years old, was biologically incapable of procreation, Abraham deliberately chose not to allow this fact to undermine his trust in God's promise. He acknowledged the truth of his physical state but refused to let it dictate the limits of God's power.
* **"when he was about an hundred years old":** This phrase provides the specific context of Abraham's advanced age, highlighting the extreme natural obstacle he faced. It quantifies the human impossibility, making God's subsequent fulfillment of the promise even more miraculous and a testament to His power.
* **"neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb":** This parallel clause reinforces the impossibility from Sarah's side. Her womb was biologically "dead" or impotent for childbearing, making conception naturally impossible. This further underscores that the promised heir would be a product of divine intervention, not human capability.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several **Literary Devices** to underscore the profound nature of Abraham's faith. **Contrast** is central, setting Abraham's spiritual perception ("not weak in faith") against the stark physical realities ("body now dead," "deadness of Sara's womb"). This highlights the tension between human limitation and divine power. The repeated emphasis on "deadness" functions as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the natural impossibility to magnify the miraculous nature of God's intervention and the strength of Abraham's belief. There is also an element of **Irony** in the fact that life (Isaac) would come forth from what was biologically "dead," foreshadowing the ultimate triumph of life over death in Christ. Furthermore, the phrase "considered not" implies a deliberate act of the will, showcasing Abraham's **Active Faith** as a choice to trust God's word above the evidence of his senses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:19 powerfully connects Abraham's faith to the broader theological themes of God's omnipotence and His ability to bring life out of death. Abraham's belief in the face of his and Sarah's "dead" bodies directly prefigures the resurrection power of God, which is central to the Christian faith. Just as God brought life to Abraham's and Sarah's physically impotent bodies to fulfill His promise, so too did He raise Jesus from the dead, demonstrating His ultimate power over death and His faithfulness to His covenants. This divine capacity to "quicken the dead" (as described in [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")) is the very power that justifies believers today, as they put their faith in the resurrected Christ. Abraham's example thus serves as a prototype for all who believe that God can accomplish the impossible, transforming what is naturally barren or lifeless into a source of divine blessing and new life.

* [Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Romans 4:3 - Abraham Believed God")
* [Hebrews 11:11](/hebrews/11-11 "Hebrews 11:11 - Sarah's Faith")
* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abraham's unwavering faith in Romans 4:19 provides a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. In a world often dominated by what is seen, measured, and scientifically verifiable, Abraham's example calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond present circumstances and human limitations to the infinite power and faithfulness of God. It teaches us that true faith is not a denial of reality, but a refusal to allow negative realities to define God's capacity or to extinguish hope in His promises. When faced with seemingly impossible situations—whether in personal health, financial struggles, relational brokenness, or spiritual barrenness—we are invited to "consider not" the "deadness" of our circumstances in a way that leads to despair. Instead, we are called to fix our gaze on the God who "gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist" ([Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")). This kind of faith empowers us to persevere, knowing that God's word is utterly reliable and His power is limitless, enabling Him to accomplish far beyond what we can ask or imagine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dead" areas or seemingly impossible situations in your life are you currently allowing to undermine your faith in God's promises?**
* **How can you intentionally "consider not" the limitations of your circumstances and instead focus on the limitless power and faithfulness of God?**
* **What specific promise of God are you struggling to believe for, and how can Abraham's example strengthen your resolve?**

### FAQ

**Did Abraham ignore the reality of his and Sarah's physical condition?**

Answer: No, Abraham did not ignore reality. The phrase "he considered not" (from the Greek _katanoéō_) implies that he was fully aware of his and Sarah's advanced age and physical incapacities. However, he chose not to allow these undeniable facts to become the *determining factor* or the *basis* for his belief. He acknowledged the natural impossibility but deliberately refused to let it negate his trust in God's supernatural ability to fulfill His promise. His faith was not blind to facts but transcended them, resting on God's power rather than human potential.

**What is the significance of "deadness" in this verse?**

Answer: The term "deadness" (Greek _nékrōsis_) applied to Abraham's body and Sarah's womb is highly significant. It emphasizes the absolute biological and natural impossibility of conception and childbearing for them at that stage of life. It highlights that there would be no natural explanation for the birth of Isaac; it would be entirely a miraculous act of God. This concept of God bringing life from "deadness" is a profound theological theme, foreshadowing God's power to raise the dead, most notably in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to bring spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:19, portraying Abraham's faith in God's power to bring life from "dead" bodies, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Abraham's belief in the miraculous birth of Isaac, a son promised despite impossible physical conditions, serves as a powerful prefigurement of the even greater miracle of Christ's resurrection. God, who enabled Abraham and Sarah to conceive against all natural odds, is the same God who "raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" ([Romans 4:24](/romans/4-24 "Romans 4:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")). The "deadness" of Abraham's body and Sarah's womb foreshadows the tomb that could not hold the Son of God. Christ's resurrection is the definitive proof of God's power over death and His faithfulness to His promises, transforming the ultimate "deadness" into eternal life. Through Christ, the promise of justification by faith, exemplified by Abraham, becomes a living reality for all who believe. Just as Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness because he believed God could bring life from death, so too is our faith credited as righteousness because we believe in the God who raised Jesus, who "was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus' Death and Resurrection for Justification")). Thus, Abraham's experience is not merely an ancient historical account but a vibrant testament to the life-giving, resurrection power of God, fully realized in Jesus Christ, the source of our new life and hope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 17:17

Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:19

Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Romans 4:20

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:21

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

John 20:27

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

John 20:28

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.